Thank you, Mr. Hanger.
Thank you, Mr. Minister, for another appearance before our committee. I applauded you on Monday for your numerous appearances here, and you've shown again today that you have truly taken the time to hear the concerns of the justice committee.
I share your concern, Mr. Minister, that the status quo is inadequate, and that's certainly what I've heard in my riding; that's certainly what I've heard in central Ontario. I would suggest there is a thirst for more deterrence, and I enthusiastically support this legislation because I think that's precisely what it does.
I've heard some rationalization of the status quo. I think if you talk to the average Canadian, that's not what you're going to hear. I know that typically we view gun crime to be the domain of large cities, and that's not the case. I come from a municipality of 130,000, and in Letitia Heights, a quiet neighbourhood, recently we had a shooting. Canadians deserve to feel safe within the confines of their neighbourhoods, and this legislation I think heads in that direction.
So my question, Minister, would be twofold. One, does your research suggest that we're going to see a sense of deterrence created with this legislation, and what are the positive effects we're going to see for Canadian public safety with this renewed sense of deterrence for gun criminals? Secondly, have you had any consultation with Canadian police officers or police associations, and what feedback have they given you? I noticed one of my colleagues praised the Toronto police, so in the effort of praising them we should also listen to them. What are those police officers telling you?